Newmarket completed their junior hurling league campaign with a home defeat against Tullylease by 1-20 to 1-15 on Friday night. Despite the result it was a battling and encouraging display from Newmarket on a wet, miserable, dark night for hurling.

Tullylease were quick off the mark adapting to the difficult conditions with two points within three minutes. Gavin Forde who was outstanding from both open play and placed balls got Newmarket on the scoreboard with a point on ten minutes. The sides traded points with Anthony Crowley next on target for Newmarket. Michael Kenneally who excelled in attack was on hand to find the net and edged Newmarket in front by 1-2 to 0-3 midway through the half. The Tullylease response was swift and a goal and two points in four minutes restored the advantage in their favour. Michael Kenneally did hit a point for Newmarket but Tullylease were prolific at this stage as they went on to reel off another trio of points. Gavin Forde pointed twice but Tullylease struck six points in the remainder of the half as Newmarket goalkeeper Barry O’Leary pulled off one tremendous diving save at full length. Anthony Crowley completed a high scoring half as Tullylease turned over with a lead of 1-14 to 1-6.

Tullylease resumed with a point but Gavin Forde found the target with a well executed free from long distance. Gavin Forde repeated the feat a minute later and Michael Kenneally added another from play to cut the deficit to six points. Tullylease were next to score but again Gavin Forde answered in fine style from a placed ball, ten minutes into the half. Tullylease added three quickfire points but the Newmarket team effort was commendable all over the pitch. The full back line was a resolute last line of defence with Robert Stack, Michael O’Leary and substitute Ian Flanagan in outstanding form, with Gavin Forde a leading light. At times the side were unlucky not to add to their increasing tally but they kept plugging away in resilient manner. Gavin Forde pointed a free midway through the half and despite a Tullylease point, Newmarket enjoyed a very productive final quarter. John Lane, now operating at midfield, was central to much of the play and also added two points. A brilliant catch and strike which smashed off the crossbar by Michael Kenneally, ended with Shane Murphy gathering from the rebound to point. In the closing moments, Micheal Kenneally rounded an excellent personal display with a sublimely converted point from a difficult angle, which left Newmarket trailing by five at the conclusion.

The Newmarket team and scorers…

Gavin Forde (0-7), Michael Kenneally (1-3), Anthony Crowley (0-2), John Lane (0-2), Shane Murphy (0-1).

Barry O'Leary
Michael O’Leary		Robert Stack		John McSweeney
Niall O’Connor		Gavin Forde		Alan Ryan
	John Ryan		Eddie Allen
Tony O'Keeffe		Anthony Crowley		Billy Daly
John Lane		Shane Murphy		Michael Kenneally
Subs: Ian Flanagan, Barry O’Connor, Donnacha Fitzpatrick, Nicky Barrett.